A WBTV News image shows shooting suspect Dylann Roof being escorted by police at the Shelby-Cleveland County Regional Airport for extradition back to Charleston, South Carolina on June 18, 2015 (AFP Photo/)

The Justice Department announced on Tuesday that it would seek the death penalty for Dylann Roof in connection with the mass shooting inside a Charleston, South Carolina church last June, Buzzfeed reported.

“The nature of the alleged crime and the resulting harm compelled this decision,” Attorney General Loretta Lynch said in a statement.

About the Author

Arturo R. García is the managing editor at Racialicious.com. He is based in San Diego, California and has written for both print and broadcast media, including contributions to GlobalComment.com, The Root and Comment Is Free. Follow him on Twitter at @ABoyNamedArt